Madonna launched her first world tour in two years on Sunday, delighting an enthusiastic Los Angeles crowd by hanging herself from a cross, insulting President George W. Bush and dusting off some sexy moves that have sustained her career for more than 20 years.

She donned a crown of thorns and suspended herself from a giant mirrored cross to deliver the ballad "Live To Tell".

Billboard magazine has forecast ticket sales could reach the $200 million range, making it the most successful tour by a female artist.

One could hope that her faith in Kabbalah might inspire new respect for religion. But apparently not so. How could one insult the greatest act ever done?

It just literally shows that the end is approaching near and fast.